Volume I Issue #32 May, 2014 C. David Copenhaver, Editor
Welcome to our latest issue of the ACC eNews. This eNews has been developed in an effort to reach out to the residents of Abingdon. Our purpose is to provide you an opportunity to become more informed and to encourage more participation at our monthly meetings! Please share this eNews with your neighbors. Why not plan to join us at our next meeting on Monday, June 23, 2014 from 6:30pm -7:30pm at the Abingdon Public Library, 2510 Tollgate Road, Abingdon, MD 21009. Join us and participate; take that leap of faith, you may find it rewarding! (For additional information, contact me at abingdoncc@gmail.com.)
(If at any time you wish to have your eMail address removed from our data base, just reply remove.) *******************************************************************************************
The Abingdon Branch opened to great fanfare on May 17, 2004. Situated on a 15.2-acre site, the library is interconnected to the surrounding community with sidewalks that join the library to the school next door and to the local neighborhoods. The grounds include wooded areas, walking paths, picnic tables and a pond with an overlooking wooden dock. In the Spring of 2009, a community playground was added to the property, maintained by the Harford County Department of Parks and Recreation.
Since its opening day, the library has been embraced by the local community. The library quickly became the second busiest in the county. For the fiscal year ending in June 2012, the library recorded over 302,600 visits and checked out over 877,600 items.
The library features a drive-thru window, self-checkout machines, wireless internet access and a DVD dispensing machine. There are individual study rooms for varying size groups. Also there is a large public meeting room, a smaller conference room, and a small computer lab, all available for rent by profit and non-profit groups.
Happy 10th Anniversary
Ten Days to celebrate Ten Years! The Abingdon Library opened its doors to serve the Abingdon community on May 17, 2004. Visit the Library for 10 days of special in-branch activities and programs. The celebration will conclude on May 17 with the Friends of the Library yard sale, raffle drawing and of course, CAKE! Since the traditional gift for a tenth anniversary is "tin" the Library will be collecting canned goods during this time to donate to Harford County's food banks. Stop by to help celebrate! Visit the library or call (410-638-3990) for more information on all of our exciting services.
(Source: http://hcplonline.org/locations/branches/abingdon/. Some changes were made.) *****************************************************************************
Board of Education Candidate Forum The Harford County Council PTA will be hosting a Board of Education Candidate Forum on May 15, 7:00pm 9:00pm. In the Bel Air Middle School Cafeteria. This event, open to the public, will enable attendees to talk one- on-one with the candidates about issues and challenges affecting Harford County Public Schools.
(Source: Sandra Monaco, President, Harford County Council PTA. Some changes were made.) *************************************************************************************
Abingdon Community Council eNews - 2 -
Harford County DPW Bureau of Highway Engineering is on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/arfordountyihways )
The Bureau of Highways Engineering is a major division within the Department of Public Works. Its responsibilities are to provide engineering design and technical support for roadway and bridge projects throughout Harford County.
In addition, the Bureau of Highways Engineering provides the review/design and subsequent approval of subdivision/related roadways, traffic analysis, including but not limited to intersection improvements, future roads, speed studies, traffic calming measures, storm drains, and bridge facilities, which when completed, become part of the Harford County infrastructure. (Source: http://www.harfordcountymd.gov/.Some changes were made.) ***********************************************************
Abingdon Native Chosen as Miss Bel Air Independence Day 2014
The Bel Air Independence Day Committee, Inc., the non-profit all-volunteer group that produces the parade, fireworks and all other events in the Town of Bel Air each July 4th, proudly announces that Cynthia Ford, a native of Abingdon, has been selected as Miss Bel Air Independence Day 2014. She had marched in the Bel Air July 4 Parade four times as a Harford County High School Student.
The new Miss Bel Airthe fourth person to hold that titleis a graduate of Edgewood High School, where she played flute in the Edgewood High School Marching Band and marched in the Bel Air 4th of July Parade for four years! The accomplished flautist is now a junior at Towson University, majoring in Music Education, and the holder of the many awards and fellowships. Read more at http://www.harfordneighbors.net/index.php?section=1&subtype=81&id=6867#sthash.jjqEsBpB.dpuf
(Source: harfordneighbors.net. Some changes were made.) *******************************************************
Harford County Prepares for Veterans Muster Harford County Commission on Veterans Affairs is hosting Veterans Muster on Saturday, May 17 from 9:00am to noon. The event will be held at the William N. McFaul Activities Center located at 525 W. MacPhail Road, Bel Air, Maryland.
This is in an effort for the Harford County Commission on Veterans Affairs to serve the Countys Veterans and their families. All Veterans living in Harford and Cecil Counties are invited to participate in the Veterans Muster. Pre- registration is not required, but it is appreciated. Read more at: http://www.harfordneighbors.net/index.php?section=1&subtype=81&id=6848#sthash.aa1DQ2WI.dpuf
(Source: harfordneighbors.net. Some changes were made.) ****************************************************
Dates to Ponder: - 3 -
Spring in Bloom Art Show May 1-4, 2014 (Free) Noon-5:00 pm Harford Artists Gallery, 503 Churchville Road, Bel Air. 12-5pm. Original artwork, pottery, jewelry, sculpture and fiber art by Harford County artists. 410.420.9499, or www.artinharford.org
Lunchtime Concert May 2, 2014 (Free) Noon-1:00 pm Office Street near the Courthouse. Lunchtime concert with food vendors available and tables and chairs provided. Entertainment TBA. Sponsored by the Town of Bel Air. 410.638.4550, or www.belairmd.org
First Fridays in Bel Air May 2, 2014 5:00pm-1:00pm Located at Office Street. Harford Countys BEST block party. Local, live music; beer and wine; delicious food vendors; face painting; and more! Band TBD. Sponsored by the Bel Air Downtown Alliance. 443.823.1797, or www.downtownbelair.com
Farmers Market May 3, 2014 7:00am-11:00am Mary Risteau Courthouse Parking Lot, Thomas & Bond Streets. The market sells only fresh, local produce and fruit in season, locally raised beef, chicken, pork, milk, eggs, cheese, flowers and shrubs. Includes three organic vendors. Specialty vendors to include hummus, salsa, baked goods, jams/jellies, and more. Sponsored by the Town of Bel Air, Bel Air Farmers Market, Inc., and Harford County Office of Economic Development. For current market information, please refer to the website at www.belairfarmersmarket.com or farmers@belairfarmersmarket.com.
Bel Air Community Band Concert May 4, 2014 (Free) 3:00pm Bel Air High School, 100 Heighe St. Bel Air, MD. The band will play popular marches, seasonal music, Broadway hits, contemporary and classical selections. Sponsored by the Town of Bel Air. 410.638.4550
Blood Pressure Screening May 7, 2014 (Free) 10:00 am-Noon McFaul Senior Activity Center, (Meetings subject to change). 410.638.4040
Pub Crawl to Benefit Paws 4 Life of Harford County May 10, 2014 ($30.00) 1:00pm 5:00pm Downtown Bel Air. Have a drink at each of the 5 bars in Bel Air, with scavenger hunt, raffles and prizes at the final rendezvous. www.paws4lifeofhc.com
An Evening of Chamber Music May 12, 2014 ($1-$5) 7:00pm Harford Community College, Joppa Hall, Recital Hall #1, 401 Thomas Run Road, Bel Air. The Music Department of Harford Community College presents an evening of music student ensemble performances. 443.412.2211, or www.harford.edu
arford ounty Public Schools Elementary Teachers Plannin Time Elementary students Dismissed 3 hours early! May 16, 2014
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Bike to Work Day May 16, 2014 (Free) 7:00am-9:30am Harford County Government Administration Building, 220 South Main Street, Bel Air. 7-9:30am. Each May Harford County Government celebrates the nationally acclaimed Clean Commute Month with activities and events throughout the month to highlight alternative transportation options such as walking, cycling, carpooling, using transit, or even teleworking from home. All of these alternatives help to reduce traffic congestion, vehicle emissions and your carbon footprint while creating a healthier and cleaner environment. A goal of Harford County's Clean Commute Month activities is to raise citizens' awareness of the available local alternative transportation options they can use to get to their destinations rather than driving alone. www.harfordcountymd.gov
Women Services Roundtable May 21, 2014 (Free) 8:00am-9:30am Harford County Commission for Women, McFaul Senior Activity Center, 525 W. MacPhail Road. Open to all non-profits. Bi-monthly informational meeting for all non-profits in Harford County. The goal of the Roundtable is to provide networking opportunities, facilitate discussion, foster new partnerships and provide quality services while making the best use of limited resources. 410.638.4739
A House Divided: The Booths as a Reflection of Civil War Marylanders May 25, 2014 ($5 for those age 13 and older) 2:00pm Tudor Hall, 17 Tudor Lane, Bel Air. Presented by Jim Chrismer, a Harford County Historian who focuses primarily on African American and Civil War history of Harford County. 443.619.0008 or SpiritsOfTudorHall@gmail.com Also follow up on Facebook for the latest news https://www.facebook.com/SpiritsofTudorHall. http://spiritsoftudorhall.blogspot.com/2013/02/make-plans-to-visit-tudor-hall.html
Memorial Day Harford County Schools and Offices Closed May 26, 2014
A Night Out at the Library May 29, 2014 7:00pm Abingdon Library, 2510 Tollgate Road, Abingdon. 7pm. $55 per person includes a copy of Keep Quiet, Scottolines book that comes out in April 2014. VIP tickets cost $75 per person and include a reception with the author in advance and a copy of the book. Harford County Public Library hosts its annual A Night Out @ the Library featuring New York Times- bestselling author Lisa Scottoline. Scottoline is the author of 21 novels, including her latest, ACCUSED. She has more than 30 million copies of her books in print and is published in 35-plus countries. She is the recipient of the Edgar Award, the Mystery Writers of Americas most prestigious honor; the Fun, Fearless, Fiction Award by Cosmopolitan Magazine; and has been named a PW Innovator by Publisher's Weekly. A Night Out @ the Library benefits Harford County Public Library. 410.273.5600, or shrodes@hcplonline.org or www.hcplonline.org
Spring in Bloom Art Show May 29-31, 2014 (Free) Noon - 5:00pm Harford Artists Gallery, 503 Churchville Road, Bel Air. Original artwork, pottery, jewelry, sculpture and fiber art by Harford County artists. 410.420.9499 or www.artinharford.org